I with @dpworkin on this. This is a very subjective situation, which depends a lot on personal experience. I, personally, don’t find it offensive, but then again I’ve never suffered such things as racial slurs, etc.

It may very well be that the oranisers and float operators just never considered the possibility of this being an issue with anyone.

If the theme of all the floats was “Music Through the Ages” and the intent and execution was a historical portrayal of the groups, and treated by the participants as a character role, then, no, I would not find that offensive. The ideal would be as @dpworkin stated, to use black people on the floats.

@cheebdragon, that thought struck me, too. “Excuse me, our group doesn’t include blacks, because we don’t know any blacks personally, but could you be on our float so we won’t look racist. We don’t want you to join our group, just help us out here.”

Wait…clarification please. Were 2 white people wearing make-up or were all of the people on the floats white and wearing make-up? The answer probably won’t change my answer…I’m just curious. The way the description reads isn’t crystal clear.

@penelopepitstop I had a similar thought. Who knows who is really in that Mickey Mouse costume when you meet him.

For me, it’s all about context. Is the person in the racial drag just putting it on to be like, “Hahaha! Look at these low-class funny beings who do things that I don’t do and behave differently than I do, so they’re stupid!”? That’s what most ”-faces” were for, even in the recent past – to put down other people.

If it’s clear that a person is portraying a person, a character who is relatable as a human being (and I’m not talking as if its got to be all deep like Othello or something), and not just a bag of minstrel show stereotypes, not acting like a buffoon like those Aussies on that talent show, then that’s a different thing. Context.

I’m not black, and I find it offensive. Humor that derived from mimicking a group to which you do not belong can easily cross a line and become mockery and derision, and is all of a sudden not-so-funny at all.

This is a type of theater. Sometimes, you don’t have a person in your troupe that fits the exact description of the character – so a white girl puts on thick eyeliner and dark foundation to play Cleopatra, or an Indian guy wears a red wig and light foundation to play Leif Erikson. It happens.

If you’re playing the part, it shouldn’t be offensive. If you’re turning historical figures into satire, I can see where the offense would happen.

Did I miss something else? I don’t see anything about the floats and the people on them attempting to use humor. As long as it was done tastefully, I look upon it as a tribute to a group (Jackson 5) and some talented performers from the ‘50s who continue to inspire musicians of different races.

Those that question whether the two floats and their acts are potentially offensive to the black community deserve some commendation for caring about the feelings of others. I think, sometimes though, we can become overly sensitive. At least, I’ve found myself guilty of it.

My perception is that they are attempting to emulate those themes and if, as has been mentioned, no african americans are available..well..I see no harm in their attempts to depict some sort of authenticity.

Quite frankly the PC movement has gotten a little out of hand IMO.

I set my pet goose up in a manger last year for a humorous holiday photo of him as baby Jesus…lol

With the neighbors donkeys and sheep looking on…it was quite the production. haha

Most people I sent it to thought it hilarious..a few were not amused..oh well,.lol

@Coloma Ah, that reminds me…I portrayed King Herod in an outdoor living Nativity scene held by our church every year. It was 1980, and I am female. I took the part seriously. The youth group leader allowed it, and as far as I know, no one complained.

This is not racism, this is trivial. Everything is about context, this clearly was not meant to belittle or demean anyone. Even if it was designed to evoke a laugh, why shouldn’t it be funny? Racial humor is not the same thing as racist humor.

I’m curious as to your geographic location. It just isn’t a cool thing to do any more. It’s a throw back to turn of the century (20th century) when they needed black actors on stage, but they weren’t allowed to be on stage so they had to “black out” white people.